Systems, methods and apparatus for slurry wall construction incorporating sheet pilings

ABSTRACT

Improved systems, apparatus and methods for construction of slurry walls are provided. A sheet piling barrier is installed into a slurry wall construction to provide improved fluid barrier capability and/or structural integrity. A void creation device allows removal of cementitious material from around the engagement lock element of an installed sheet piling member to prevent interference with engagement of the engagement lock element of a subsequently installed sheet piling member after hardening of the slurry wall.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/198,770 filed Jul. 30, 2015 and U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/271,064 filed Dec. 22, 2015, both of which arehereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of barrier walls;and more particularly to slurry walls incorporating sheet pilings, andto systems, apparatus and methods for construction of slurry wallsincorporating one or more sheet piling panels.

BACKGROUND

Slurry or soil mix walls are commonly used to provide in-ground barriersor structural walls, for example to prevent migration of groundwater orother fluids, and/or for various structural applications. For example,slurry walls may be utilized in various applications, includinglandfills, mining, tunnels, earth stabilization, foundationconstruction, barrier walls, retaining walls, seawalls and the like.

Typically a trench is excavated in the earth and filled with acementitious and/or bentonite based slurry which hardens or cures toform a barrier. The trench may be formed using an excavator or trenchcutter, for example a vertical cutter post (resembling a large verticalchain saw), which may be mounted to a base crawler machine to advancethe excavator along the path of the wall to be formed. The cementitiousslurry may be continuously injected as the trench is excavated, torefill the trench and prevent caving or collapse of the earth along thetrench being formed. A trench remixing deep (TRD) process may beutilized to continuously vertically mix a cement-based binder slurrywith in-situ soil or rock to eliminate soil stratification along thewall's depth, and form a homogenous and low permeability barrier wall.

While generally effective for many applications, typical known slurrywall constructions have been found to have shortcomings in some otherapplications. For example, in seismically active areas, or areasincurring vibration or shock from blasting, tunneling, mining or otheractivities, slurry walls may be prone to cracking, thus degrading theireffectiveness as a barrier against groundwater or other fluid migration,and potentially rendering them structurally unstable. Significantshifting in surrounding earth, for example from hydrostatic pressure,thermal expansion and contraction, tree roots, geological activity,and/or other causes may also damage or degrade barrier and/or structuralintegrity of traditional slurry wall constructions. Accordingly, it canbe seen that needs exist for improved slurry walls providing better ormore durable barrier and/or structural characteristics.

Additionally, it has been found that known methods of slurry wallconstruction are generally incompatible with the incorporation ofbarrier panel elements such as sheet piling members into a traditionalslurry wall construction. For example, if construction of a slurry wallis interrupted, for example at the end of a workday or due to equipmentproblems, hardening and curing of the cementitious slurry around aleading edge lock engagement feature of a previously installed sheetpiling member will interfere with proper engagement of the trailing edgelock engagement feature of a subsequently installed sheet piling member,rendering it difficult or impossible to properly form a continuouslyinterlocked array of sheet piling members within a slurry wall usingtraditional slurry wall construction techniques. Accordingly, it can beseen that needs exist for improved systems, apparatus and methods forconstruction of slurry walls.

It is to the provision of improved slurry wall constructions, and toimproved systems, apparatus and methods for construction of slurry wallsmeeting these and other needs that the present invention is primarilydirected.

SUMMARY

In example embodiments, the present invention provides improved slurrywall constructions having better and/or more durable barrier and/orstructural characteristics, and improved systems, apparatus and methodsfor construction of slurry walls.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a wall construction or wallsystem preferably including a sheet piling barrier in combination with aslurry wall. In example forms, the sheet piling barrier includes one ormore sheet piling panels having a top side, a bottom side, a leadingedge and a trailing edge, and the leading and trailing edges includeinterlocking engagement profiles for joining a plurality of such sheetpiling panels into a continuous array. The slurry wall preferablyincludes a cementitious or bentonite material that cures or hardensaround or alongside the sheet piling barrier. The sheet piling barrieris at least partially submerged or embedded in the slurry wall,optionally entirely embedded, or alternatively partially embedded andpartially extending above the slurry wall or ground surface. A wallsystem combining a sheet piling secondary barrier within a slurry wallprimary barrier may provide improved barrier and/or structuralcharacteristics in many applications, relative to standard slurry wallconstructions.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of constructing aslurry wall system having a sheet piling barrier at least partiallyembedded within a slurry wall. The method preferably includes excavatinga trench, depositing or mixing a cementitious or other slurry materialwithin the trench, and installing at least one sheet piling member intothe trench at least partially submerged or embedded in the slurrymaterial. The at least one sheet piling member preferably includes aleading edge and a trailing edge with cooperatively engaging interlockprofiles, whereby multiple sheet piling members can be sequentiallyinstalled, with their respective interlocks engaged to form asubstantially continuous sheet piling barrier array. The slurry wallmaterial is then allowed to harden or cure around or alongside theinstalled sheet piling members.

Optionally the method further includes placement of a void creationdevice on the leading of a first sheet piling member installed in thecementitious slurry, and displacing the cementitious slurry from withinat least a portion of the void creation device. The method may furtherinclude depositing a non-cementitious non-hardening fill or slurrymaterial into at least a portion of the void creation device aroundleading edge of the first sheet piling member and optionally removingthe void creation device. The method may further include installing asecond sheet piling member into engagement with the first sheet pilingmember. The method may further include removal of at least a portion ofthe non-cementitious non-hardening fill or slurry material from adjacentthe leading edge of the first sheet piling member prior to installingthe second sheet piling member. In this manner, the installation processcan be interrupted, for example at the end of a workday or in the eventof equipment breakdown, and prevent curing or hardening of the slurrymaterial around the leading edge of the last-installed sheet pilingmember, which could otherwise prevent attachment of a subsequent sheetpiling member.

In still another aspect, the invention relates to a void creation devicefor installation of sheet piling members into a slurry wall. The voidcreation device preferably includes an elongate body enclosing aninternal channel surrounded by at least one wall creating a top edge anda bottom edge. The at least one wall preferably includes a slot with anopening at the bottom edge of the elongate body wherein the slot extendsat least a portion of the length of the elongate body, and wherein theslot is configured to receive a leading edge of a sheet piling.

Optionally, the void creation device further includes at least one fluiddelivery conduit for diluting or displacing a cementitious slurry fromthe internal channel and/or for delivery of a non-cementitious slurryinto the internal channel.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a subterranean barrier wallsystem. The barrier wall system preferably includes a cementitiousslurry wall primary barrier and a sheet piling secondary barrier atleast partially in contact with the cementitious slurry wall primarybarrier. The sheet piling secondary barrier preferably includes aplurality of sheet piling elements, each sheet piling element having amale interlock and a female interlock, wherein the male interlock of afirst sheet piling element is received in the female interlock of asecond sheet piling element.

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention willbe understood with reference to the drawing figures and detaileddescription herein, and will be realized by means of the variouselements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing generaldescription and the following brief description of the drawings anddetailed description are exemplary and explanatory of representativeembodiments of the invention, and are not restrictive of the invention,as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a wall system incorporating sheet pilings at leastpartially within a slurry wall according to an example embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 shows a method of construction for creating the slurry wallsystem incorporating sheet pilings shown in FIG. 1, with a trencheradvancing through the ground, a slurry wall being formed trailing thetrencher, and an array of sheet piling members at least partiallyembedded in the slurry wall.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a void creation device according anexample embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the void creation device depicted in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of a void creation device depicted accordingto another example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the void creation device depicted inFIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the void creation device depicted in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is an alternate side view of the void creation device depicted inFIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a detailed view of the bottom end of the void creation deviceof FIG. 7.

FIG. 9A is a detailed view of the leading edge receiver slot of the voidcreation device of FIG. 9.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the top of a void creation deviceshowing connection couplings for the fluid delivery conduits accordingto an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an alternate perspective view of the top of the void creationdevice of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 shows an in-situ view of a void creation device inserted onto aleading edge of a sheet piling, according to example form of the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 shows the void creation device of FIG. 12 partially insertedinto the trench.

FIG. 14 shows the void creation device of FIG. 12 partially retractedfrom the trench.

FIG. 15 shows the void creation device of FIG. 12 fully retracted fromthe trench and sheet piling after use.

FIG. 16A-E shows the sequence of an example method of construction of aslurry wall system incorporating sheet pilings using a void creationdevice according to an example form of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to thefollowing detailed description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to beunderstood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices,methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, andthat the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describingparticular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to belimiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patents and otherpublications identified in this specification are incorporated byreference as though fully set forth herein.

Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, thesingular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference toa particular numerical value includes at least that particular value,unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressedherein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to“about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a rangeis expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular valueand/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values areexpressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it willbe understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.

With reference now to the drawing figures, wherein like referencenumbers represent corresponding parts throughout the several views,FIGS. 1-16 show improved systems, apparatus and methods for constructionof slurry walls incorporating sheet pilings. FIG. 1 shows a wallconstruction or wall system incorporating sheet pilings 100 incombination with a slurry wall 120, according to an example embodimentof the present invention. As depicted, a plurality of sheet pilingpanels or members 110 are at least partially embedded within at least aportion of slurry or cementitious-soil mix 120 to form the slurry wallsystem 100. The sheet pilings 110 generally comprise a top end 112, abottom end 114, a leading side edge 116 and a trailing side edge 118. Inexample embodiments, the sheet pilings 110 include cooperating lockengagement features on the leading edges 116 and trailing edges 118. Forexample, the leading edge 116 of the sheet piling 110 can include a malelock engagement feature and the trailing edge 118 of the sheet piling110 can include a female lock engagement feature, allowing multiplesheet pilings to be linked side to side in an array. Various forms ofsheet piling wall construction panels are known, which may be adaptedfor use in connection with the slurry wall system 100 of the presentinvention. Examples of sheet piling walls are shown in U.S. Pat. No.6,000,883, U.S. Pat. No. 7,025,539, U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,666, U.S. Pat.No. 6,033,155, U.S. Pat. No. 8,419,317, U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,503, U.S.Pat. No. 5,803,672, U.S. Pat. No. 6,231,271, and U.S. Pat. No.7,914,237, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. In exampleembodiments, the sheet pilings 110 are formed of vinyl, PVC, fiberreinforced polymer, plastic, polymer, composite or other polymeric ornon-metallic material(s). In alternate embodiments, the sheet pilingscan comprise steel, aluminum or other metals, ceramics, or othermaterials. The sheet pilings can comprise a C-shaped, S-shaped, flat,angled, curved, or other cross-sectional profile.

The combination of slurry wall 120 and sheet pilings 110 in a wallsystem can provide improved fluid barrier capability and/or improvedstructural integrity in many applications, relative to a traditionalslurry wall construction. To construct the slurry wall system 100 shownin FIG. 1, a subterranean trench 130 is excavated below ground surface,as shown in FIG. 2. In example embodiments, a trenching device 132, ortrencher is used. The trencher 132 can be an excavator or trench cutter,for example a vertical cutter post or hydromill trench cutter, which maybe mounted to a base crawler machine to advance the excavator along thedesired path of the slurry wall system 100. The trench 130 is partiallyor fully filled with the uncured slurry mix 120 below the groundsurface, which is typically a free-flowing wet cementitious materialsuch as concrete or a cementitious-soil or bentonite mix. In someembodiments, the cementitious slurry 120 is continuously injected as thetrench 130 is excavated, to refill the trench and prevent caving orcollapse of the earth along the trench being formed. In furtherexamples, a trench remixing deep (TRD) process can be utilized tocontinuously vertically mix a cement-based binder slurry with in-situsoil or rock to eliminate soil stratification along the wall's depth andform a homogenous and low permeability barrier wall. Before the slurrymix 120 hardens, the sheet pilings 110 are inserted into the trench andat least partially extending below the ground surface, preferably in aconnected array, with the female interlock of one sheet piling memberengaging the male interlock of the adjacent sheet piling member. Thesheet pilings 110 are arranged so that they are at least partiallysubmerged in the slurry mix 120. The slurry mix 120 cures and hardensaround or along the sheet pilings 110 to form a combination wall system100 incorporating a sheet piling secondary barrier within a slurry wallprimary barrier. In alternative embodiments, the slurry mix 120 can beadded to the trench 130 after the sheet pilings 110 are installed. Forexample, a non-cementitious bentonite slurry material can be depositedin the trench to prevent wall collapse, the sheet pilings installedtherein, and concrete or other cementitious slurry material deposited toreplace the bentonite slurry in the trench on one or both sides of thesheet pilings.

If construction of the slurry wall system is halted before the wallconstruction is complete, for example at the end of the work day or dueto equipment problems, the cementitious slurry mix could harden aroundthe leading edge of the last installed sheet piling. The hardened slurrymix would make it difficult or impossible to connect the trailing endinterlock of the next-installed sheet piling to the leading endinterlock of the last-installed sheet piling when work resumes. In thissituation, a void creation device 250, as depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, canbe used. The void creation device 250 generally comprises an elongatehollow body or beam 252 defining an internal void or channel 254 and alock channel or slot 256. The internal channel 254 is surrounded by atleast one wall forming a top end or edge 240 and a bottom end or edge242. The body 252 can be constructed of metal, such as steel, or anotherrugged material. In the depicted embodiment, the elongated body 252 hasa generally square cross-section. In other embodiments, a roundcross-section pipe or other member having different cross-sectionalshapes can be used. Preferably, the body 252 is sufficient length so itis at least as tall as the sheet pilings.

The void creation device 250 includes a lock channel or slot 256 in awall of the elongated body 252. In the depicted embodiment, the lockchannel 256 is formed as a slot in one wall of the elongated body 252extending thru to the internal void 254. The lock channel 256 begins atthe bottom edge 242 of the body 252 and extends at least partially upthe length of the body. In the depicted embodiment, the lock channel 256extends to the top edge 240 of the elongate body 252. The lock channel256 is configured to receive a portion of the leading edge of the lastinstalled sheet piling, for example including the male (or female)interlock, so that the leading edge of the last installed sheet pilingis positioned within the internal void 254. The top of the body 252 caninclude support beams 260 attached to the top edge of the elongate body.The void creation device 250 can further include a bite plate 262attached to the top edge of the body 252. In the depicted embodiment,the bite plate 262 is attached above the cross beams 260, such that thelength of the bite plate is perpendicular to the length of the crossbeams. The depicted bite plate 262 further includes triangular braces264 at each end of the bite plate. The bite plate 262 is designed toengage with a device such as a crane to assist with insertion of thevoid creation device 250 into the trench and/or slurry mix. The depictedvoid creation device 250 also includes lifting holes 266, for example inthe bite plate 262 and triangular braces 264. The lifting holes aredesigned to engage with a device such as a crane for removing the voidcreation device 250 from the trench.

FIGS. 5-8 show a void creation device 350 according to another exampleembodiment of the claimed invention. The depicted embodiment includespipes, tubing, hoses or other fluid delivery conduits 370 mounted to theinside wall of the body 352 within the internal channel 354 of the voidcreation device 350. As shown in FIGS. 5-6, the fluid delivery conduitscan include two slot tubes 372, located on either side of the of thelock channel 356, and two side tubes 374 located on the two walls of thebody 352 perpendicular to the wall containing the lock channel 356. Inalternate embodiments, different numbers and configurations of fluiddelivery conduits can be used. In the depicted embodiments, the fluiddelivery conduits 370 are mounted to the inside the walls of the body352 with series of brackets 376 that extend around the fluid deliveryconduit 370 and attach at each end to an inside wall of the body 352. Asshown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the fluid delivery conduits 370 extend from thetop of the body 352 at least partially down the length of the body. Thefluid delivery conduits 370 can be positioned to discharge fluid atdifferent depths inside the channel 354 of the void creation device 350.For example, in the depicted embodiment, the two slot tubes 372 extendthe full depth of the body 352 whereas the side tubes 374 include oneconduit extending about one half the depth of the body and anotherextending about three quarters the depth of the body. Varying the depthsof the fluid delivery conduits 370 helps to dilute and displace theslurry mix along the length of the void creation device 350.

FIGS. 9 and 9A show detailed views of the void creation device 350. Asshown in FIG. 9, the discharge ports 378 of the fluid delivery ports 370are angled. The angled discharge port 378 helps to direct fluid flowwhen flushing the slurry mixture. In the depicted example, the dischargeports 378 of the slot tubes 372 are angled to help flush slurry fromaround the opening 258 of the lock channel 256. As shown in the detailedview of FIG. 9A, the lock channel opening 258 can optionally include aradiused or tapered lead-in or leading edge. The tapered edge enlargesthe opening to assist in guiding the receiver slot 356 of the voidcreation device 350 onto the leading edge of the sheet piling.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show a void creation device 450 according to anotherexample embodiment of the present invention. The void creation device450 of this embodiment is substantially similar to that of the previousembodiment. In the depicted embodiment, the fluid delivery conduits 470include fittings for connecting to a supply line 480. The supply line480 delivers fluid and/or filing material to the fluid delivery conduits470. Optionally, one or more Y or T couplings 482 are employed todeliver fluid from a common supply line 480 to two or more fluiddelivery conduits 470. In alternate embodiments, a controlled valveoperation and/or appropriate sizing of the fluid delivery conduits maybe provided to vary fluid delivery pressure and/or flow-rate to thefluid delivery conduits discharging at different depths along the voidcreation device.

FIGS. 12-15 show a sequence of operation of a wall system constructionmethod according to an example embodiment of the invention. As shown inFIG. 12, the void creation device 450 is inserted into the uncuredcementitious slurry wall material 420, with the leading edge lockprofile 416 of the last installed sheet piling member 410′ extendingthrough the lock channel or receiver slot 456 and positioned within theinternal void or channel 454 of the void creation device. The voidcreation device is driven into the slurry wall mixture 420 at least aportion of the depth of the sheet piling 410. In preferred embodiments,the void creation device 450 is driven into the slurry wall mixture 420a depth at least equal to the depth of the sheet piling 410. Water orother fluid is pumped through the fluid delivery conduits into theinternal void or channel of the void creation device 450 through one ormore supply lines 480. The fluid dilutes and/or flushes the concrete orcementitious slurry wall forming material 420 from around the leadingedge lock profile 416 of the last installed sheet piling 410′. Anon-cementitious fill material 422, such as clay or bentonite clayslurry is optionally deposited into the internal void of the voidcreation device to replace the concrete or cementitious slurry. Thenon-cementitious fill material 422 can be inserted through the fluiddelivery conduits, by a separate pumped delivery system, or by othermeans. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the void creation device 450 isretracted and removed leaving the non-cementitious fill materialencapsulating the leading edge lock profile 416 of the last installedsheet piling 410′. Work can then be temporarily stopped, for exampleovernight or over a weekend. Then when work resumes, thenon-cementitious fill material is removed from around the leading edgelock profile 416 of the last installed sheet piling 410′, and one ormore additional sheet piling members can be sequentially installed asthe slurry wall construction is continued in like manner as described.

FIGS. 16A-E show steps of a multi-stage installation method forconstructing a combination sheet piling and slurry wall system 500,using a void creation device 550. As previously described, a trenchingdevice 532 is advanced along the desired path of the slurry wall system500, as shown in FIG. 16A. The trench 530 is filled with a cementitiousslurry mix 520 and sheet pilings 510 are inserted into the trench whenthe slurry mix is wet and uncured such that the sheet pilings are atleast partially submerged or embedded in the slurry mix. Thecementitious slurry mix 520 is allowed to harden and cure around oralong the previously installed sheet pilings 510 as the wallconstruction proceeds in a continuous fashion.

If the slurry wall formation process is interrupted, for example at theend of a work day, a void creation device 550 is employed, as shown inFIG. 16B. The void creation device 550 is installed to depth over theleading edge 516 of the last sheet piling installed 510′. In thedepicted embodiment, the void creation device 550 is fitted over theleading male lock profile 516 of the last installed sheet piling 510′.Water or other fluid is pumped into the void creation device 550 todilute and flush the cementitious slurry 520 from around the sheetpiling lock profile 516. The diluted slurry mixture is sufficientlynon-cementitious and will not harden around at least the leading edgeinterlock profile of the last installed sheet piling. Optionally, anon-cementitious material 522 is added to the void creation device 550.In alternate embodiments, the void creation device can be installed overthe leading edge of the last installed sheet piling before the trench isfilled with the cementitious mixture to prevent the cementitious slurrywall material from embedding the leading edge. As shown in FIG. 16C, thevoid creation device 550 is removed, leaving the leading edge 516 of thelast installed sheet piling 510′ surrounded by non-cementitious material522. When the slurry wall formation process is resumed, the trencher 532can be backed toward the leading edge 516 of the sheet piling 510′ toremove the non-cementitious fill material for access to install the nextsheet piling 510, as shown in FIG. 16D. The trencher 532 is advanced tocontinue formation of the slurry wall system 500, as shown in FIG. 16E,and additional sheet piling members can be sequentially installed as theslurry wall construction proceeds, in like manner as described above.

While the invention has been described with reference to preferred andexample embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the artthat a variety of modifications, additions and deletions are within thescope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wall system comprising: a slurry wallcomprising a cementitious material; and at least one sheet pilingelement comprising a top, a bottom, a leading edge, and a trailing edge,wherein the at least one sheet piling is at least partially embedded inthe slurry wall.
 2. The wall construction of claim 1, wherein aplurality of sheet piling elements are installed into the cementitiousmixture in a connected array, the connected array being linked bycooperating lock engagement features on the leading and trailing edgesof the sheet pilings.
 3. The wall construction of claim 1, wherein theslurry wall is formed in a trench below ground surface.
 4. The wallconstruction of claim 1, wherein the sheet piling element comprises apolymeric material.
 5. A method of constructing a slurry wall having asheet piling barrier at least partially embedded within the slurry wall,the method comprising: excavating a trench; depositing a cementitiousslurry within the trench; and installing at least one sheet piling intothe trench, the at least one sheet piling comprising a leading edge anda trailing edge, wherein the at least one sheet piling is at leastpartially embedded in the cementitious slurry.
 6. The method of claim 5,wherein the cementitious slurry mixture is deposited within the trenchbefore the at least one sheet piling is installed into the trench. 7.The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one sheet piling isinstalled into the trench before the cementitious mixture is depositedwithin the trench.
 8. The method of claim 5, wherein a plurality ofsheet pilings are installed into the trench in a connected array, theconnected array being linked by cooperating lock engagement features onthe leading and trailing edges of the sheet pilings.
 9. The method ofclaim 8, further comprising placement of a void creation device on theleading edge of a first sheet piling installed in the cementitiousslurry, and displacing the cementitious slurry from within at least aportion of the void creation device around the leading edge of the firstsheet piling.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising depositing anon-cementitious fill material into at least a portion of the voidcreation device around the leading edge of the first sheet piling memberand removing the void creation device.
 11. The method of claim 9,wherein the non-cementitious slurry comprises bentonite clay.
 12. Themethod of claim 9, further comprising installing a second sheet pilingmember into engagement with the first sheet piling member.
 13. Themethod of 12, further comprising removal of at least a portion of thenon-cementitious slurry from adjacent the leading edge of the firstsheet piling member prior to installing the second sheet piling member.14. The method of claim 8, further comprising placement of a voidcreation device on the leading edge of a first sheet piling before thecementitious slurry is deposited within the trench.
 15. A void creationdevice for installation of sheet piling members into a slurry wall, thevoid creation device comprising: an elongate body enclosing an internalchannel surrounded by at least one wall creating a top edge and a bottomedge; wherein the at least one wall includes a slot with an opening atthe bottom edge of the elongate body wherein the slot extends at least aportion of the length of the elongate body; wherein the slot isconfigured to receive a leading edge of a sheet piling.
 16. The voidcreation device of claim 15, further comprising at least one fluiddelivery conduit comprising a discharge port for delivering fluid or anon-cementitious mixture into the internal chamber.
 17. The voidcreation device of claim 16, wherein the discharge port of the fluiddelivery conduit is angled.
 18. The void creation device of claim 15,comprising a plurality of fluid delivery conduits discharging fluid ornon-cementitious mixture at different depth in the internal chamber. 19.The void creation device of claim 15, further comprising a bite plateattached to the top edge of the elongate body.
 20. The void creationdevice of claim 19, further comprising lift holes located in one of thebite plate or elongate body.
 21. The void creation device of claim 13,wherein the opening of the slot includes a tapered leading edge.
 22. Asubterranean barrier wall system comprising a cementitious slurry wallprimary barrier and a sheet piling secondary barrier at least partiallyin contact with the cementitious slurry wall primary barrier, whereinthe sheet piling secondary barrier comprises a plurality of sheet pilingelements, each sheet piling element comprising a male interlock and afemale interlock, wherein the male interlock of a first sheet pilingelement is received in the female interlock of a second sheet pilingelement.
 23. The subterranean barrier wall system of claim 22, formed bya process comprising forming a trench below ground level, depositing acementitious slurry material into the trench, sequentially driving theplurality of sheet piling elements into the cementitious slurrymaterial, and allowing the cementitious slurry material to harden. 24.The subterranean barrier wall system of claim 23, wherein the processfurther comprises interrupting the sequential driving of sheet pilingelements into the cementitious slurry material, placement of a voidcreation device over at least a portion of a last-installed sheet pilingelement, preventing hardening of the cementitious slurry material aroundthat portion of the last-installed sheet piling element, allowinghardening of a remainder of the cementitious slurry material, andinstalling a next-installed sheet piling element in connection with thelast-installed sheet piling element after hardening of the remainder ofthe cementitious slurry material.